TikTok sensation Bailey Spinn talks to Dom Smith about their experience in the music industry as an artist, the songwriting process, and the trials and tribulations of creating viral content!
Image Credit: Lindsey Ruth
Bailey comments first on what success means to them: “I think success means being able to overcome what’s holding you back, and really become your full self and go for what you want. When I started social media, I had no confidence, and I was the most anxious person in the world, putting myself out there was terrifying.
“Now that I have gained a platform, I feel success in the sense that, even if I do have a big number I feel more confident putting myself out there. I’ve been able to improve myself a lot.”
On creating valuable content, that is also honest, Bailey says it has been difficult to open up: “I’ve actually tried to post mental health videos before, and I got blocked from the algorithm entirely, so I wasn’t reaching that audience to connect to them.
I have a hard time being open, even some of the songs I am releasing soon are very vulnerable and come from a very personal place. I am worried because a lot of people haven’t seen the real-life struggles behind the scenes, but these new songs give a lot of insight.”
When Bailey talks about their TikTok success and viral fame, they mention it’s important to showcase passion and creativity first and foremost: “Sometimes it’s just overcoming one small step at a time. Hitting that post button, even if only a couple of people see it, you posted it and you can take a big sigh of relief because you did that. Whatever it is, approach it slowly, it’s okay to take a while to figure out where you want to go.”
On being relatable to people of all ages: “I really try to be relatable when I am writing music, and a really big thing for me is to keep pronouns, and pointing the finger at anybody out of my music. ‘Runner Up’ is the only song on my upcoming EP that even has a pronoun, and that’s just one ‘her’ right at the beginning.
I wanted these songs to be relatable and to reach people around the world, and have them say, ‘Oh, hey! I feel like this!’ Sometimes I will be thinking something, and I’ll be like, ‘This is what I wrote ‘Runner Up’ for!’ It can relate to friendships, relationships, or even in your work-life, it was for everything.”
On the new “heavier” sound: “‘My Worst Enemy’ has the most radio feel, and it does really well on socials. The other songs are also relatable, but they are much darker and heavier, one is actually extremely heavy! I’m worried to see what people are going to think about that one, but I think they are going to be shocked that I have ventured all over the place in pop-rock genre. They’re very emo! I’m excited to see what people think.”
Bailey says that she could have written more “pop” songs like ‘Runner Up’, but likes the idea of being a musical risk taker: “I really wanted to show my artistry! That’s just a part of who I am. Some days are darker than others. I don’t always go in [to the studio] and write a happy song, I didn’t want them all to feel upbeat and positive because that’s not how I felt in the moment.”
On building a legacy through the music: “I really want people to listen to my music, and relate to it, and apply it to the situation they are in. It doesn’t matter what year it is. I want everyone to be able to listen, it doesn’t matter your gender or anything, I want listeners to feel comfortable with me.”
Finally, Bailey comments on a typical day when it comes to content and maintaining momentum as a creative artist, and the intensity that can come with that: “I do really have a hard time fitting it in, it’s hard to create videos and then balance that with a studio session, where I can be there all day! Then, I’ll have to go home and film afterward.
“I will wake up and start filming content or editing immediately. I go straight to work! It takes me four or five hours to get everything out! It takes me an hour or just less than that for one video, especially if I am going through a lot of footage and editing!”
For more information visit:
https://www.instagram.com/baileyspinn
‘My Worst Enemy’ is out on August 10th, 2023: https://ffm.to/myworstenemy
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Listen to the full interview where Bailey talks about musical influences and more here:
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